Gold bangle and bracelet with jeweller's tools: 19th century

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Gold bangle and bracelet with jeweller's tools. The gold bangle is set with seven mixed-cut graduated diamonds, the immediate predecessor of the brilliant-cut. The highly sophisticated design of this heavy, mid-19th century bangle enhances the fine large stones in their open settings, giving full value to the cut, at this date still a novelty for decorative pieces. The oblong and circular link bracelet is in form of an armoured collar. A piece of such a weight must date from after the discovery in California of rich deposits of gold in the mid- 19th century.